The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-16
Sunday School.
LESSON FOR JULY "a, 1887.
BY REV. ROBERT I. POLK.
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS.
Matthew iii. 1911
Jesus.


But one incident is recorded in the lie OF
JESUS from the time he went to dwell WIN
his parents at Nazareth till he appeared
among the multitudes at Johns baptsm'
period of about thirty years. Luke informs
ms that at the age of about twelve years
he went with his parents to Jerusalem
IN attend the annual feast of the Passover,
and became so interested in what was going
on in the courts of the Temple, especially the
teachings of the rabbits, that he was le1t De-
hind when the caravan from Nazareth started
on the homeward journey at the close OF the
festival (Luke ii. 41-52.) At this time ne ap-
pears to have had some consciousness OF MS
relation with the Father, as is indicated IN
reply to his mother: Did ye not know tnaS
I should be in my Fathers houser IL Is
said that he returned home with his parents
and "vas subject to them" After this he
may have learned the trade of his father, that
of carpenter MARK vi. 81, and aided by DIS
labor in the support of the family, comprls-
ing. as seems probable from chapter Kill. 90,
and elsewhere, several brothers and sisters.
See John vii. 8; Acts i. ID; Galatians /. ~.
Joseph appears to have died before our
Lords public ministry, as he ID never men-
toned in the history after the recorded WISH
to the Passover, and Mary is spoken OF IN
such ways as seem to imply that she was then
a widow. JESUS history, from twelve TO
thirty years of age, is comprised IN the state
ment of Luke iii. 40), that he grew ana IN
creased in knowledge and strength and IN
favor with Cop and man." de douptiess
employed wisely and we'll his time and OPP
portupities. He improved in the graces ana
virtues of his spiritual life as he increased IN
age and stature. He was finally made per-
feet through suffering Hebrews ii. 1O), HAY
ing learned obedience by the things which
he suffered Hebrews v. 81. Interested In
the religion of his countrymen, he would nat
urally become interested in the wonderful
prophet that had arisen among them ana was
attracting such multitudes to his ministry IN
the wilderness of Judea. With others, we
may assume, who were attracted by the re-
ports concerning Johns preaching and bap-
tism, which had reached Galilee, JESUS made
the journey from Nazareth to the ford OF
the Jordan, where John was ministerlng
when the incident of the Lesson occurred.
The precise location may not now be known.
Bethany beyond Jordan" is mentioned as
the place of Johns testimony to JESUS, ap-
parently little later {John j. 28). The ira
ditional place where JESUS was baptized was
nearly opposite Jericho. When JESUS pre-
scented himself for baptism John appears to
have been surprised, and modestly declined
the ceremony, saying, 1 have need to be bap-
tized by thee, and thou CONTEST to me!' or
"and CONTEST thou to me?" 1t is highly
probable that John knew JESUS, and was well
aware of his superior religious character and
righteous purpose as their mothers were rel
atives and had formerly been conhdentially
intimate duke i. 3656). Though their homes
were far apart, the annual festivals at Jerusa-
lem furnished opportunity for frequent meet
ings and continued acquaintance and friend
ship. The statement of John that he did not
know JESUS John i. 81 may only mean that
he did not know him to be the Messiah. He
knew him as a devout and upright man,
whom he would not call upon to repent, and
so he says, 81 have need rather to be bap-
tized by thee" JESUS insisted and was bap-
tized. The baptism was really an expression
or symbol of righteous purpose, and OF the
Holy Spirit by which the soul is purified. 1t
was proper for all, including JESUS, the right
eous one, to declare their purpose to live
righteously in view of the approaching king
dom of righteousness. We have no reason
for believing that JESUS was then conscious
of his own Messianic character and mission,
though he may have been made acquainted
with the DivineIy wonderful things connected
with his birth and pondered them in his
heart as did his mother, and that knowledge
may have had a decided influence in the
formation of his religious character and pur-
poses.